frocks

i admit

i do love a pretty frock

not that I own a ballgown

except for my wedding dress

but i'd take this one

if someone offered it

i think i'd look happier if I were wearing this

just saying

not quite repelling gear

i do hope kate winslet is in front of a green screen

or well insured

do you think kirsten dunst

just happened to have a travel fan with her

to pop under her skirt for the proper effect?

keira knightley makes

a lovely wallflower

and a cardigan (to tone)

 can come in handy

on those chilly evenings

this frock is gorgeous

but it must be heavy

if she has to lay down and rest

perhaps she just needs a sandwich.

My Very Favorite Fiction Author (of all time)

I first stumbled upon the lovely books of Rosamunde Pilcher after I was married, but before I had kids. I was using one of those computer search programs at the local library in Rhode Island and after clicking on types of books I like (British, fiction, WW2, etc) up popped a suggestion for a book called Coming Home.
It's since become my very favorite book and my go-to rainy day, cosy-up-on-the-couch-with-a-soft-blanky book.

A nice and chunky read, it's loaded with oodles of charm and character. Once I started reading it I didn't come up for air until I had turned the last page regretfully...as in, "This book was just so darned good I wish it wouldn't end!"

Fortunately for me the talented Mrs. Pilcher had penned a few other beauties which kept me busy over the next several months and years as I tracked them down.

 There's The Shell Seekers, with a bit more WW2 backstory. This book made me want to paint, cook and garden ferociously. I made the mistake of lending this one to a friend and have yet to get it back.

I know where you live Tracy.

 Winter Solstice. Who knew that I could get so wrapped up in a story about two elderly people finding a second chance at love and living?

September. Made me fall in love with the wilds of Scotland. And autumn dances. And pretty frocks.









She wrote so much, including several collections of short stories, that I can't put them all here. And if you become a huge fan then you'll want to hunt down the many earlier books she wrote under the name Jane Fraser. No easy task, I promise you. I've been searching for years and have only been able to find a couple of these novels.

If you've never read anything by Rosamunde Pilcher, you've a treat in store. Run, do not amble, to your local library and grab anything with her name on it. Come home, make a pot of tea and find a comfy nook. You won't regret it.

And if you have, which one do you call favorite?

Happy Birthday Sir Toots

6 years ago tomorrow

my youngest child entered the world

his name means, "the praise of the Lord."

and that's what he is.

i cannot believe that my baby

just isn't a baby anymore

gotta love the big brother rabbit ears

master of the cheesy grin

water bug

mine.

Happy Birthday Toots.

Yard Problems

I have a yard problem.

Actually, I have many yard problems.

I'm just choosing this one because it's the one that's bugging me the most right now.

Here is our arbor. When we moved in it had hideous climbing plants all over the place

that bloomed in the late summer

with huge, ugly orange, trumpet-shaped flowers.

Ugh.

We pulled off all the vines, but that's it.

Oh, and I planted a pink climbing rose (far left corner)

Although I do want fairly lights on the arbor

(we need all the outdoor lighting we can get)

I don't like these tube lights.

They're coming down soon.

And here's the opposite view.

Not very inspiring. Or pretty.

But these are.

And they represent ideas of what we hope to accomplish over time.

My space is smaller than this one, but I love the billowy curtains.

They add a touch of privacy and romance.

Just not sure how practical they would be.

And this one is so pretty.

Love all the overblown roses and climbers covering the frame.

And it's smaller, more like my space.

This one wouldn't work for my space.

It's just pretty to look at.

Sigh.

And finally, this lush covered arbor.

Nice, huh?

I wonder how long it took that tree thingy to cover it?

I don't think I'm that patient.

Sigh.

I think I have my work cut out for me.

But at least it's work I mostly enjoy.

A labor of love.

Sometimes It Pays to be the Neighborhood Junk Collector

Remember my post from the other day?

Asking Mrs. Neighbor-Across-The-Street for her

sitting-out-by-the-curb-about-to-be-thrown-out lawn chairs?

Well, she knocked on my door yesterday and asked if I thought I might want some china she's getting rid of.

I've learned from experience to ask a few questions before saying yes.

How much is there?

Place settings for 10 or 12...can't remember

What's it look like?

White, with flowers.

Complete, you said?

Yes, complete. Including serving pieces.

Okay.

Honey, can you run across the street and get a big, heavy box of china for me?

Please?

Don't feel too badly for him.

 He's sort of used to my strange china fetish.

I have collected bits of china since I was 14.

I pick up random pieces at flea markets, tag sales and such.

My everyday china is really a hodge podge of formerly grand china in pinks and reds

that we mix and use for everything.

So how could I say no to more lovely china?

Here it is.

I had to lay it all out like we were having company.

A sea of Noritake.

I counted 7 pieces per place setting. I don't even know what all of them are for!

And serving pieces.

A big platter and a smaller one.

Creamer and sugar. Gravy boat. Oval server.

And.....

I finally own a covered serving dish!

I've always wanted one.

I know.

I'm silly.

Isn't she pretty?

Sigh.

I think the pattern is almost perfect for me. White and green, with just a hint of pink.

The only problem is....

where the heck am I going to store it?

I have a confession to make....

....I've been doing a little dumpster diving.

Well, not technically dumpsters....just my neighbor's trash.

You see, it's neighborhood cleanup time.

Neighborhood cleanup time!

That means that folks are cleaning out their attics

garages

basements.

And setting out on the curb.

Can you blame a girl for looking?

The other day Mrs. Neighbor-across-the street put out some plastic lawn chairs 

Pretty ugly and worn.

But nothing a can of black spray paint can't fix.

So I walked over and asked her if I could take 'em.

She said yes

So I carried them home.

Later in the day I glimpsed a little something in a box.

I got a little excited

I couldn't help it.

But I was too embarrassed to go over and take a closer look.

I waited for nightfall

and went out for a walk.

As darkness fell, I passed their driveway

and quick as a wink

snatched up my little treasure.

A small ceramic garden boy/angel thingy.

Eeeek!

He looks so perfect sitting on the side table in my dining room.

I just hope Mrs. Neighbor-across-the-street wasn't peeking out her window.

She might think I'm a little strange.

Bridal Frippery

Maybe it's because the hubs and I are drawing close to our 15th wedding anniversary, but I've been thinking about brides lately. This summer we'll be attending two weddings, and like most women I can't wait to get a glimpse of The Dress. You know....the one that's usually white and designed to look pretty from behind. So I thought I'd post some photos of gowns I like.

Just for fun.

Let's start with what may be the world's most famous wedding gown, Lady Diana's.  I can't recall how much this cost, but it was a LOT. I remember getting up at 5am. just to see this dress,

and it was totally worth it.

Look at that profusion of silk.

This, my friends, is what a princess bride should look like.

Wonder how much it weighed?

Here are a few more familiar gowns (and you might recognize the women wearing them.)

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

Lovely and sophisticated.

Princess Grace (nee Kelly)

Regal and lovely.

Jacqueline Kennedy's famous gown. And heirloom veil.

Elizabeth Taylor and one of her many husbands....can't keep track

Look at her teeny tiny waist!

Okay, technically this isn't a wedding dress,

but the dress is white, and I like this photo of Marilyn Monroe.

And now for some anonymous women in generally lovely gowns.

Vera Wang

The queen of wedding couture.

Vera Wang. 

Adore the silk shoulder rosettes and chiffon layering.

A floaty Vera Wang.

Oscar De La Renta from his Spring 2009 bridal collection.

Monique Lhullier.

Love the poofy skirt. 

Sophisticated Valentino gown. 

I think this one is a little 50s inspired.

Okay, technically this isn't a wedding gown either that Kate Moss is languishing so beautifully in.

It's a ball gown by Oscar de la Renta.

But it looks weddingish to me so I had to include it.

 This dress by J Crew has been on their website for at least a couple of years,

but is no longer available because it has been sold out for a while.

Small wonder.

I love the simple and elegant silhouette.

And who couldn't use a handy pocket?

Badgley Mischka.

Yummy flower details. 

I found this photo of an anonymous bride from the 1920s.

I think she looks lovely and demure.

Maybe a Society bride? 

Now, to get a little personal.

This is a wedding photo of my Aunt Alison (who I'm named for)

and Uncle Hugh.

They met when she was just 15 and lived an ocean apart for five years before they married, writing letters to each other all the while.

Their marriage lasted until her death just a couple years ago.

This is a copy of a copy, so not a great quality of photo.

But I love it.

And this one is my mom and dad, circa 1954.

Same church.

Doesn't she look sweet?

And I like his white jacket. Very dashing.

They are still going strong, 56 years and counting.

And this is me and the hubs, freshly minted from the alter.

15 years ago this May. Whew!

And I just threw this one in because that church was so beautiful.

I'm pretty sure it upstaged us!

Now, of all the bridal frippery featured here,

which dress was your favorite?